FINAL: SOC 28, PNG 0

[NDNzeke]

SOC becomes the first team to shutout PNG since 2008

Their defense was definitely as advertised. But we also did a lot of stopping ourselves in various ways.

 

[NDNzeke]

I was there. Great game.
I'm wondering if the turf or field is messed up. We seemed to be stumbling a lot. I think all of the post game analysis here covered it pretty well.
What I really enjoyed was seeing all of the happy and bright faces. A great community. Proud to be an Indian.

The final score is not really representative of the game as a whole IMO. A few defensive breakdowns by PNG (which in fairness also involved good execution on SOS’s part), along with some critical offensive mistakes by PNG, really determined the outcome.

 

[99JBBG]

Ashworth picked off after a good drive. Can’t have that.

Cant throw a an empty pass into the endzone against SOC

 

[99JBBG]

The final score is not really representative of the game as a whole IMO. A few defensive breakdowns by PNG (which in fairness also involved good execution on SOS’s part), along with some critical offensive mistakes by PNG, really determined the outcome.

There was at least 7 left on the field with the missed td catch. But that wouldn't have been enough. This game was unwinnable without CB. And Ashworth did great. A sophomore thrown to the wolves. Heck yeah. But facts are life

 

[99JBBG]

The defence was amazing. Look at what they accomplished. SOC didn't realize what hit em. But there was no reciprocation. Its that simple

 

[99JBBG]

I do believe thats why the hand shake scenario went down like it did. You could tell SOC coaches told them if they understood what they just ran into. And how different it would have been with a healthy team. As much as I hate to say it... watch the tape, soc coaches knew what happened.

 

[tony79]

Although the score doesn't show it, I think the offensive play calling was much improved considering what we had to work with.

 

[99JBBG]

Although the score doesn't show it, I think the offensive play calling was much improved considering what we had to work with.

Yes and no

 

[99JBBG]

Throwing to a wide open endzone just to be intercepted? The 2nd time? Donde esta Feller (sp)

 

[IndianFan]

It’s easy to look back and see more than enough plays that could have resulted in more points. The turf trips alone probably 14-21 points worth. (The pass to Brisboe behind receivers in the end zone, the pass to Jackson and the Ashworth run within clear view of the end zone) That’s as much a shoe problem as anything else. It simply wasn’t meant to be and is what it is. Nothing to be ashamed of. The Indians walked away on the low end of the scoreboard this time. Not as a lesser team and certainly not a team that should hang its head.

 

[Watchful]

Newton '73 grad here.
Living in Virginia now, but I would always tell people that a trip to the Reservation is a MUST BUCKET LIST thing. I saw four PNG games - two at PNG and two playoff games (vs. Brenham at Aldine I think, and the classic against Stephenville in the Dome - what a crowd).

You guys have built an incredible program and I really enjoying following across the miles. Way to go.

Now let's see what Newton can do against East Bernard.

 

[IndianFan]

Interesting outcome. We can speculate the ‘what ifs’ for eternity. But the game is completed so these bits of information are conversational only. Bottom line is the Indians did a lot of things well but not enough.

	Rush	Pass	Total
PNG	92	58*	150*
SOC	67*	218	285

* Season low

Stats - Port Neches-Groves Indians (Port Neches, TX) Football 25-26

View the Port Neches-Groves Football individual player's stats and career pages including receiving yards per game, rushing yards per game, interceptions, passing tds, receiving tds, rushing tds, completion percentage and qb rating.

www.maxpreps.com

Stats - South Oak Cliff Bears (Dallas, TX) Football 25-26

View the South Oak Cliff Football individual player's stats and career pages including receiving yards per game, rushing yards per game, total tds, tackles per game, sacks, interceptions, passing tds, receiving tds, rushing tds, caused fumbles, fumble recoveries, qb hurries, completion...

www.maxpreps.com

 

[kingcrablegs]

I always thought going undefeated is tough to do imo. I think losing imo is a good thing sometimes because it will be a motivation for next season to basically to work on building a team that can beat SOC.

 

[1989NDN]

Newton '73 grad here.
Living in Virginia now, but I would always tell people that a trip to the Reservation is a MUST BUCKET LIST thing. I saw four PNG games - two at PNG and two playoff games (vs. Brenham at Aldine I think, and the classic against Stephenville in the Dome - what a crowd).

You guys have built an incredible program and I really enjoying following across the miles. Way to go.

Now let's see what Newton can do against East Bernard.

Good luck to our friends in Newton!!! Go win it all!

 

[tony79]

Interesting outcome. We can speculate the ‘what ifs’ for eternity. But the game is completed so these bits of information are conversational only. Bottom line is the Indians did a lot of things well but not enough.

	Rush	Pass	Total
PNG	92	58*	150*
SOC	67*	218	285

* Season low

Stats - Port Neches-Groves Indians (Port Neches, TX) Football 25-26

View the Port Neches-Groves Football individual player's stats and career pages including receiving yards per game, rushing yards per game, interceptions, passing tds, receiving tds, rushing tds, completion percentage and qb rating.

www.maxpreps.com

Stats - South Oak Cliff Bears (Dallas, TX) Football 25-26

View the South Oak Cliff Football individual player's stats and career pages including receiving yards per game, rushing yards per game, total tds, tackles per game, sacks, interceptions, passing tds, receiving tds, rushing tds, caused fumbles, fumble recoveries, qb hurries, completion...

www.maxpreps.com

In this case the stats does reveal the game mostly. We stopped their run. They had a few passes.
Other notes: no special teams or field goals.
Penalties, mistakes, turnovers hurt us a lot.

 

[IndianFan]

I always thought going undefeated is tough to do imo. I think losing imo is a good thing sometimes because it will be a motivation for next season to basically to work on building a team that can beat SOC.

That’s the only way to look at it. Next team up. The 2025 team, at full strength, with its balanced offense, and the defense as we saw it Friday was very capable of beating them. Fate did not have that in store. You win some you lose some.
After the sting of a loss is less painful, people will realize just how great this team is/was.

 

[tony79]

Driving home after the game I kept thinking about how unfair it is that some teams/communities like to recruit/poach players from other districts while others are community/district based.
I also think schools with 7K+ students can also be unfair but they play in 6A which is acceptable to me.
With "school choice" and open enrollment I think it's time for the UIL to consider a way to correct this.
For Example: Perhaps a 6A D3 classification? Where 6A D1 is for the poachers and enormous schools.
SOC has already proven they can compete at this level along with DeSoto.
I'm not whining or complaining.
I'm looking for a way to handle both kinds of teams/communities. Otherwise I'm concerned that we will have a "free agency" situation and will result in drafting players from Middle School and loose our communities. We will just have super powerhouse school dynasties while the community schools will dwindle and fade away. Why play if you can never win because the conditions are unfair.

I'm just thinking about these things for now. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[tony79]

Driving home after the game I kept thinking about how unfair it is that some teams/communities like to recruit/poach players from other districts while others are community/district based.
I also think schools with 7K+ students can also be unfair but they play in 6A which is acceptable to me.
With "school choice" and open enrollment I think it's time for the UIL to consider a way to correct this.
For Example: Perhaps a 6A D3 classification? Where 6A D1 is for the poachers and enormous schools.
SOC has already proven they can compete at this level along with DeSoto.
I'm not whining or complaining.
I'm looking for a way to handle both kinds of teams/communities. Otherwise I'm concerned that we will have a "free agency" situation and will result in drafting players from Middle School and loose our communities. We will just have super powerhouse school dynasties while the community schools will dwindle and fade away. Why play if you can never win because the conditions are unfair.

I'm just thinking about these things for now. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

I think this should be on a separate thread.
I think it would be a good idea to have a robust public discussion on this similar to the "Federalist Papers".
Let's hash this out from all perspectives.

 

[ABadndn]

I think this should be on a separate thread.
I think it would be a good idea to have a robust public discussion on this similar to the "Federalist Papers".
Let's hash this out from all perspectives.

Driving home after the game I kept thinking about how unfair it is that some teams/communities like to recruit/poach players from other districts while others are community/district based.
I also think schools with 7K+ students can also be unfair but they play in 6A which is acceptable to me.
With "school choice" and open enrollment I think it's time for the UIL to consider a way to correct this.
For Example: Perhaps a 6A D3 classification? Where 6A D1 is for the poachers and enormous schools.
SOC has already proven they can compete at this level along with DeSoto.
I'm not whining or complaining.
I'm looking for a way to handle both kinds of teams/communities. Otherwise I'm concerned that we will have a "free agency" situation and will result in drafting players from Middle School and loose our communities. We will just have super powerhouse school dynasties while the community schools will dwindle and fade away. Why play if you can never win because the conditions are unfair.

I'm just thinking about these things for now. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

I have stated this before but the UIL is being very hypocritical with the allowance of open enrollment schools to recruit and play in the UIL system in the division that matches their enrollment numbers but make the private schools play in 6A (highest classification) no matter their enrollment numbers if they wish to play in the UIL system because they recruit.
That said I don’t blame Coach Todd one bit for exploiting it and creating a juggernaut with the largest ISD in Texas to choose from. It’s a UIL problem.

 

[IndianFan]

Driving home after the game I kept thinking about how unfair it is that some teams/communities like to recruit/poach players from other districts while others are community/district based.
I also think schools with 7K+ students can also be unfair but they play in 6A which is acceptable to me.
With "school choice" and open enrollment I think it's time for the UIL to consider a way to correct this.
For Example: Perhaps a 6A D3 classification? Where 6A D1 is for the poachers and enormous schools.
SOC has already proven they can compete at this level along with DeSoto.
I'm not whining or complaining.
I'm looking for a way to handle both kinds of teams/communities. Otherwise I'm concerned that we will have a "free agency" situation and will result in drafting players from Middle School and loose our communities. We will just have super powerhouse school dynasties while the community schools will dwindle and fade away. Why play if you can never win because the conditions are unfair.

I'm just thinking about these things for now. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Controversial topic. One that is a valid concern for schools on the short end of the stick. But of course the SOCs, Carthages and other schools that are known to ‘build’ team advantages will never admit any wrongdoing. Rules will be stretched and broken, with plausible deniability to the extent that limits allow. However they can do it.

Until the governing bodies recognize this, nothing will change and 'traditional' small town districts such as PNGISD will face programs that don't match characteristics or limits of the classification they play in. Maybe statewide media, such as DCTX, could assist with that by making the differences more obvious, but that's not likely to happen. Maybe they are not on that page, or choose not to publicly support a concern. And the truth is that large metro areas have a bigger voice. Numbers decide elections and rules affecting public education and sports. Until then this will continue and anyone who objects will likely face ridicule for simply raising a valid concern.